A few minutes ago the state Senate refused to retreat from the amendments it added to House Bill 78, which in its original form would have stopped New Mexico’s practice of giving state drivers’ licenses to illegal immigrants.

The Senate changes would allow the state to keep issuing drivers’ licenses to undocumented individuals, but would tighten up rules against fraud, supporters say.

Because the Senate refused to back down on the changes, the House and Senate must now go to conference committee. Each chamber appoints members to the conference committee.